Modular post anchor device

ABSTRACT

A modular post anchor device is placed in the ground to hold and support a post as part of a fence. The device is held in the ground by a horizontal anchor. The device attaches to the post via a vertical support. The post is secured by fasteners or the like.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fencing systems, and morespecifically, to a modular post anchor device for holding in place pollor fence support beam.

2. Description of Related Art

Fencing systems are well known in the art and are effective means todemark one area from another by partitions or walls held and supportedby posts. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional panel fence system101 having posts 103 anchored to the ground 105 by a concrete footing107. Pickets 109 are attached to cross-beams 111. The cross-beamsattached to the posts 103.

One of the problems commonly associated with system 101 is its limitedefficiency. For example, posts 103 are susceptible to decay and damagenecessitating replacement. To replace a post 103 the concrete footing107 must be removed along with the post 103.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of panelfence systems, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of thepresent application are set forth in the appended claims. However, theembodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a common panel fence system;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a modular post anchor device in accordance witha preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the anchor of FIG.2; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the preferred method of use of the device ofFIG. 2.

While the system and method of use of the present application issusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however,that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended tolimit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the presentapplication are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that inthe development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with conventional panel fence systems. Specifically, theinvention of the present application enables the rapid removal andreplacement of a post. These and other unique features of the system andmethod of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to itsstructure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken inconjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments ofthe system are presented herein. It should be understood that variouscomponents, parts, and features of the different embodiments may becombined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which arewithin the scope of the present application, even though not allvariations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the mixing and matching of features,elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expresslycontemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/orfunctions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodimentas appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Itis chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention andits application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art tofollow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 2depicts a top view of a modular post anchor device in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciatedthat system 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problemscommonly associated with conventional panel fence systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes a horizontal anchormember 203 rigidly attached to a vertical support member 205 attached toits top surface 207.

The vertical support member 205 having a body 209 with a cavity 211penetrating a top surface 213. The cavity 211 configured to accept andhold a fence post 103.

In use, the device 201 is buried in the ground so that the horizontalanchor member 203 is generally parallel to the ground and a majority ofthe vertical support member 205 is below the ground. A fence post 103 isplaced in the cavity 211 and used to secure cross beams 111. Whenreplacement of the post 103 is necessary it is removed from the supportmember 205 and a new post 103 is placed in the cavity 211.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believedcharacteristic of the present application is that vertical supportmember 205 and horizontal anchor member 203 enable the rapid replacementof a fence post 103.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a side view of the device is depicted. Thevertical support member 205 having holes 301, 303 that penetrate theside of the body 209 and are configured to allow fasteners to removablyattach fence post 103 to the support member 207. It will be understoodthat while fasteners are depicted as securing the post 103 to thevertical support member 205, any method of securing the post iscontemplated.

An alternative embodiment of the horizontal anchor member 203 isdepicted in FIG. 4. Embodiment 401 including a body 403 with arms 405,407, 409 that extend away from the center 411 of the body 403. It willbe appreciated that various configurations of the horizontal anchor areanticipated and that the arms 405, 407, 409 in this embodiment increasethe stability of the device 201 in soils with high clay concentrations.

Referring now to FIG. 5 the preferred method of use of the device 201 isdepicted. Method 501 including preparing a hole in the ground where afence post is to be installed 503, placing the modular post anchordevice in the ground so that the anchor is generally parallel with thetop of the ground 505, filling the hole with the removed soil 507,placing a post in the cavity of the support member 509, securing thepost to the support member 511, using the post to hold a fence 513,removing the post to replace it with a new post 515 and installing a newpost to hold the same fence 517.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theembodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of theapplication. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forthin the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above,they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable tovarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed:
 1. a modular post anchor device comprising: ahorizontal anchor member attached to a vertical support member; thevertical support member including a body with a cavity accessiblethrough the top surface; wherein the cavity is configured to hold andsecure a post as part of a fence; and wherein the horizontal anchorsecures the device with respect to the surrounding soil.
 2. The deviceof claim 1 wherein the vertical support member has at least one holepassing through the side to accept fasters to secure the post to thesupport member.
 3. The method of anchoring a post as part of fence giventhe device of claim 1, comprising: preparing a hole in the ground wherea fence post is to be installed; placing the modular post anchor devicein the ground so that the horizontal anchor member is generally parallelwith the top of the ground; filling the hole with the removed soil;placing a post in the cavity of the vertical support member; securingthe post to the vertical support member; using the post to hold a fence;removing the post to replace it with a new post; and installing a newpost to hold the same fence.